When the midyear slumps hit and you start to feel like you're not accomplishing anything, please remember the beginning of the year when you had to teach each child individually how to open a bottle of glue and use it without making a mess.

The classroom is coming together so I thought I would put on a few pictures.

The Computer Center:

The Toy Center

The Science Center

The Writing Center

The Library

The Guided Reading/Writing Center

The Math Center

The Art Center

The Sensory Center

The Drama Center

The Carpet

The Alphabet Center

The Reading Center

Office: My first years of teaching I thought it was horrible to waste space on the teacher so I threw my desk out and worked at kids tables and had one little closet for me. Well now you can see that with 19 years of experience I make sure that my needs are met with adequate space. My students know it as teacher's office!

The beginning of school is here and apparently I am on track to make this year an insane one. Not only do I have to comfort 60 new kindergartners and introduce them to school, I also need to potty train my 2 year old. Among all this we made the brilliant decision to get a new puppy... and then 2 days later found out we're pregnant. Well, all right then Life, what else ya got?

Need some quick forms to gather important student information? Well get these two forms free! Simply click on their pictures and you will be taken to my TPT store where you may download them for free. ENJOY!

Here we go again! School is starting soon, my Open House is on Friday and I have some good news and some bad news.

The Good News

I'm ready for the open house! I have my room in order and all my stations set up. (See Kathy's previous post for a description of what we're doing).

My dramatic play center got a fresh new coat of paint (and a cute little guy has already tested it out, as you can see).

Our school got new carpet this year and I got a new tiled art and sensory area. (We'll see if we can keep our messes contained there...)

I've got all of our Units from now until the end of November printed and ready to go. I'm so excited!! It's like instant lesson plans!! And you can get one for free by entering our drawing. See the post below for details.

The Bad News
Last year before school ended I got my back to school homework packets completely put together and ready to go. Guess what this dummy did in her anxiety to get the classroom clean as quickly as possible. I accidentally threw them away! Desperately I tried to dumpster dive for them yesterday without any luck. Now I have to do them all over again. What a waste of time. Argh!

I am getting ready for Kindergarten Orientation. My theme is "The Great K Adventure." This is the map and instruction page that will be given the student and parent. I will post pictures as I get further prepared for the event!

Kids respond to music. So, why not captivate upon that fact when planning your classroom management routines. This poster is a quick reminder of the 5 steps of good listening and is set to a familiar tune.

Themed Behavior Management Methods That Work in Both the Classroom and Home Settings!

Choose your Method of Delivery....

(Pocket Chart Method)

To use this behavior chart, purchase blank library pockets or cut out a square of cardstock for each child. Write each child’s name on the pocket and staple to a poster board or bulletin board. (If cutting out a square of cardstock for each child, staple it on the bottom and on the sides to create a pocket for each child). Print out one of each color of behavior card for each child. Put a set of cards in each child’s pocket with the red card on the bottom, then the yellow card, then green and then blue. Each child will start the day with the blue card showing. If they do not behave appropriately, they take out the blue card and move it to the back of the pocket. The green card is now showing and the child receives a consequence (for example, a verbal warning). If the child makes another poor choice, they move the green card to the back of the pocket. The yellow card is now showing and the child receives a consequence (for example, a time out). If the child makes yet another poor choice, the yellow card is moved to the back of the pocket so that the red card now shows. The child receives the final consequence (for example, a call to parents). An extra, positive card and warning step card have been provided to offer choice for the teacher. For example, if a child’s behavior is exceptional, she can be given an orange card to put in her pocket chart and receive a positive consequence.

(Clip Chart Method)

To use this behavior chart, copy the large cards on tag and laminate together to make a large chart. Print or make a label of each student’s name and attach to a clothespin. Place all of the pins on blue. Have students move clips as behavior changes as explained previously.

I have several clipchart behavior systems for sale at the Kiosk store: Jungle, Ocean, Pirate, School Days, Space, Groovy 70's, and Farm Themes. Check them out today.

I love and hate this month! The excitement of back to school, working in my room, planning for new students, putting up shiny new posters...

Then there is the laundry...

And, there is the canning...

And of course sneaking into my flower gardens are the weeds...

And , well let's not forget those summer afternoons.

Now I won't speak of my summer to do list, the crafts, the sewing, the deep cleaning, the genealogy projects, .... & .. more.....

Balancing this month is the worst. I am still in the mode of enjoying being that stay-at-home gal with the freedom to make my own schedule. All of the summer work is still here for me to do but the rigors of preparing for the new year and the hours and hours and hours that it takes to be ready for the new shiny faces is a lot to balance!